MANILA, Philippines – Never mind that the Ateneo Blue Eaglets lost Game 2 to the NU Bullpups. After Game 1, it was already clear who would be the frontrunner for the Finals MVP award.

When the dust settled and the trophy was hoisted, the 7-foot-1 Gilas 2023 cadet Kai Sotto was formally named the Finals MVP after posting team-highs of 19 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in the do-or-die Game 3 victory. After 3 grueling games with the tenacious Bullpups, the 15-year old Sotto averaged 17 points, 13 rebounds and an unparalleled 6.3 blocks, largely due to his masterful Game 1 triple-double of 22 points, 16 boards and 11 rejections.

Despite his long reach and skyscraping style of play, Sotto remained grounded even in the face of triumph. When he was asked for a photo opportunity while holding his MVP trophy, he gestured for his teammates to join him and refused to pose until they surrounded him.

Even during the post-game interview, Sotto remained soft-spoken, but his words reflected how he really felt.

“Siyempre sobrang saya,” he said. “Ako na siguro ang isa sa pinakamasayang tao ngayon sa Pilipinas. Siyempre nakakuha ka ng championship. Sino ba namang hindi sasaya ‘dun?”

(“Of course, I’m really happy. I guess I’m one of the happiest men in the Philippines right now. Of course, when you get a championship, who wouldn’t be happy with that?”)

“’Yung Finals MVP ko, lahat ‘yun para sa team ko,” he added after being asked about the gesture during the photo ops. “Di ko naman makukuha ‘yung Finals MVP kung hindi dahil sa mga coach ko, sa teammates ko, [at] family ko. Kung wala sila, ‘di kami makakaabot sa ganito.”

(“My Finals MVP [award], that’s for my team. I wouldn’t be able to get that award if not for my coaches, my teammates and my family. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”)

While Sotto made it clear that he wouldn’t win without the people around him, those people likewise made it clear that they needed him more than ever in Game 3.

“Sabi ni Coach Joe [Silva] – minessage ako, sabi niya, “Kai, kailangan ka namin. Kailangang ipakita talaga ‘yung galing mo,”” he said. “Sabi ko, “Coach, ‘di na kailangang sabihin ‘yan. Gagawin ko na talaga ‘yan. Ito na ‘yung last game, coach. Para sa’yo ‘to.””

(“Coach Joe messaged me and said, “Kai, we need you. You have to really show what you have.” I said, “Coach, you don’t have to say it. I will really do it. This is the last game, coach. This is for you.”)

After just two years with the Eaglets, Kai Sotto already showed enough on why he’s touted as one of the future stars of Philippine basketball.

The sky – almost literally – is the limit. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Louie Alas isn't one to back down from a skirmish, even against a player as tough as Kelly Nabong.

Alas and Nabong got into it late in the second half of the Phoenix Fuel Masters' 104-100 win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier Friday, March 2, with both exchanging heated words and middle fingers. 

Nabong was complaining to a referee for a non-call on his shot attempt in front of the Fuel Masters' bench before he engaged in a verbal tussle with Alas. After being separated by cooler heads, both flashed the dirty finger to each other. 

Alas explained that Nabong's disrespectful approach towards an official caught his ire. 

"Kinausap ko 'yung referee kasi minura na siya ni (Kelly). Sabi ko, ‘Ref, you have to control him.' May sinabi siyang bad word eh (sa akin). Sabi ko, 'You picked the wrong guy.' So nagmura na lang nang magmura. 'Di naman pwedeng ganoon. Napakadisrespectful niya," Alas said. 

(I was talking to the referee because Kelly swore at him. I said, 'Ref, you have to control him.' Kelly said some bad words to me. I told him 'You picked the wrong guy.' He just said some bad words throughout. It cannot be like that. He was very disrespectful.)

Although Alas was given a technical foul for using profane language, it was the Batang Pier who took more damage with Nabong being thrown out of the game for earning back-to-back technical fouls, the first for disrespecting an official and the second for use of profane language. 

Nabong, who finished with zero points, 8 rebounds, an assists and two turnovers, left the Araneta Coliseum at halftime. 

Alas added Nabong should have learned from his past.

The 29-year-old Nabong was released by Meralco in the offseason late last year weeks after an altercation with Bolts assistant coach Jimmy Alapag in an out-of-town game. 

"Wala na nga siya sa kabilang team, dapat nakocontrol na niya emotions niya. Sabi nga natin, dapat sa pinanggalingan, dapat natututo tayo sa lessons."

(He is not with the other team anymore, he should have controlled his emotions. Like what people say, we should learn from our past, we should learn from the lessons.) 

Despite witnessing Phoenix almost squander a 31-point lead, Alas is just thankful to live another day this conference. 

The Fuel Masters improved to 5-6 and will either land at 7th place heading into the quarterfinals or battle for the last playoffs spot.  – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Barangay Ginebra escaped the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in triple overtime, 100-92, to secure a seat in the playoffs of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 2.

With the game tied at 92-all in the 3rd extra period, Ginebra gained the upper hand behind a Sol Mercado layup with 1:37 minutes remaining.

The Gin Kings got the breaks they needed as Rain or Shine's Maverick Ahanmisi and Raymond Almazan missed 4 straight free throws before Jervy Cruz hit a jumper with 34.1 seconds remaining for a 96-92 lead.

A pair of LA Tenorio freebies sealed the deal for Ginebra, which improved to 6-5 for 4th place and will face the Elasto Painters (6-5 for 5th place) in the quarterfinals. 

It was only the 12th game in PBA history that went to 3rd overtime, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

"This is the first good thing that happened to us all whole conference – winning tonight's game – and it took us triple overtime to do it against a team that's really didn't have much to play for," said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.

Rain or Shine had plenty of good looks to take the game earlier.

In regulation, Beau Belga missed his potential game-winning jumper while Raymond Almazan fell short of his last-second putback. 

Belga also missed a triple in the first overtime that could have won it for the Elasto Painters while Almazan's alley-oop play from a Gabe Norwood inbound pass rimmed out in the second extra period.

Japeth Aguilar finished with 30 points, 17 rebounds and 5 assists while Tenorio chipped in 20 points and 6 assists against 8 turnovers. Scottie Thompson added 10 points, 17 rebounds and 3 assists. 

Even without Greg Slaughter, who suffered a bummed ankle on his left foot, Ginebra showed its dominance in the paint by pulling down 22 more rebounds.

Belga paced the E-Painters with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while Gabe Norwood added a double-double of 13 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, two steals and two blocks. 

Ahanmisi and Ed Daquioag churned out 11 apiece in the loss.

Ginebra's win saved the TNT KaTropa's playoff campaign and ended Blackwater's quarterfinal bid. TNT will face the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday, March 4, at the same venue to vie for the last playoff berth. 

The Scores:

Ginebra (100): J. Aguilar 30, Tenorio 20, Devance 15, Mercado 10, Thompson 10, Cruz 6, Mariano 3, Caguioa 3, Ferrer 3, R. Aguilar 0

Rain or Shine (92): Belga 17, Norwood 13, Ahanmisi 11, Daquioag 11, Washington 9, Almazan 8, Trollano 8, Borboran 6, Ponferada 4,Nambatac 3, Maiquez 2, Matias 0

Quarter scores: 26-20, 46-34, 67-62, 80-80, 85-85 (OT1), 87-87 (OT2), 100-92 (OT3)

– Rappler.com

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – Brazilian superstar Neymar arrived in hospital Friday, March 2, for an operation to mend the broken bone in his right foot that has ended his season at Paris Saint-Germain and overshadowed Brazil's World Cup preparations.

The world's most expensive football player landed late in the evening at Belo Horizonte's airport, then immediately drove with his entourage to the Mater Dei hospital, AFP reporters said.

The procedure was due to take place Saturday, March 3, led by Brazilian national team surgeon Rodrigo Lasmar.

Lasmar says the fracture of the 5th metatarsal will put Neymar out of action for two and a half to three months. He suffered the injury on February 25 during PSG's 3-0 defeat of Marseille in Ligue 1.

(READ: Brazil's Neymar sidelined for up to 3 months with foot surgery)

This leaves PSG without the prolific striker – whose transfer from Barcelona cost the club a record 222 million-euro ($264 million) last August – when they face Real Madrid in a make-or-break Champions League clash next Tuesday.

There are also jitters in Brazil, where Neymar is a key part in the national side's hopes of glory at the World Cup in Russia starting in June.

Jose Luiz Runco, a former chief medical officer for the Brazilian team, told AFP that the surgery itself "is not difficult."

"It should take about an hour, or 90 minutes maximum," he said.

Pre-surgery cuddles

Neymar, 26, struck a relaxed pose ahead of his arrival in Belo Horizonte, putting up a picture on his Instagram story of himself in a wheelchair with his actress girlfriend Bruna Marquezine sitting on his lap and kissing him.

The image-conscious PSG star also posted a close-up of his hand, tattooed with a small cross, holding Marquezine's hand.

In the heated atmosphere around the operation, Brazil's Globoesporte website claimed that Neymar was expected to come by helicopter and had booked a whole wing of the Mater Dei hospital. But a local newspaper reported that he would take a more modest suite measuring around 80 by 40 feet (24 x 12 meters).

Staff at the hospital, a tall building with mirrored windows, were put on paparazzi lockdown, with a ban on using their cellphones anywhere near the star. However, an AFP photographer was given access to a room similar to the one Neymar was due to take – a small suite with basic furniture and a second room for the patient.

Silver lining 

Neymar has scored 28 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for PSG since arriving. But last Sunday he looked to be in tears as he was stretchered off the field at the Parc des Princes.

On Thursday, he arrived back in Brazil, accompanied by Lasmar, who broke the news that the surgery would require a longer than previously expected recovery time.

"It's not a simple fracture, but a fracture in an important bone in the middle of the foot," Lasmar said.

Now Neymar will feel the weight of a nation's expectations as he races to recuperate in time for the World Cup, where Brazil are seen as having a good chance for winning a 6th title – and eradicating bitter memories of a 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semi-finals.

He's already sure to miss two warm-up friendlies against Russia and Germany in March.

There may, however, be a silver lining in Neymar's forced absence from competitive games, says Cristiano Nunes, the physio for Brazilian first division club Internacional in Porto Alegre.

"When you think how exhausting the European season is, he could even arrive fresher than the others, both physically and emotionally," Nunes told AFP.

"He'll return with a real desire to play football and to show his potential."

Runco said Neymar will likely be allowed to walk with crutches after two to 3 weeks, then exercise while putting weight on his repaired foot after 60 to 75 days.

The UOL sports website reported that Neymar may recuperate at his residence in Mangaratiba, on the coast of Rio state. The luxury residence has the facilities that would allow the star's medical team to run a full physiotherapy program, the report said. – Rappler.com

ZURICH, Switzerland – Football's law-making body on Saturday was set to approve the use of video assistant referee technology (VAR) at this summer's World Cup, overriding purists concerned about technology disrupting the game. 

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting in Zurich is widely expected to rubber-stamp the move already backed by FIFA's top brass, including president Gianni Infantino. 

VAR can only be used when there is doubt surrounding any of 4 key game-changing situations: after a goal, penalty decisions, after a straight red card or in cases of mistaken identity.

It has already been implemented in top European leagues including the German Bundesliga and Italy's Serie A – along with tests in multiple other leagues  but opinion is still divided. 

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said this week that European football's governing body would not introduce VAR in next season's Champions League due to ongoing "confusion" surrounding its use.

Others have voiced concern about video assistance being used too often, slowing down the game and possibly breaking a team's momentum. 

That is an issue confronting major North American sports like baseball and American football, where different forms of video replay have been in use for several years and where calls to shorten match length have risen.  

Access to information 

But the desire to avoid ferociously disputed calls – especially in high-profile moments – appears to have tipped FIFA to support using VAR at this summer's World Cup in Russia. 

One iconic example that VAR could theoretically have prevented is Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal that saw Argentina beat England in the 1986 World Cup. 

For Infantino, who will be on hand Saturday for the IFAB announcement, international football cannot allow anyone with a smart-phone having access to better information than a World Cup referee. 

"In 2018 we cannot anymore afford that everyone in the stadium and everyone in front of a TV screen can see within a few minutes on his phone whether the referee has made a big mistake or not, and the only one who cannot see it is the referee", he said last month.   

"So if we can help the referee then we should do it," he added.

Representatives of the 32 teams that have qualified for the World Cup meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi this week voiced confidence that the expected VAR rollout would be a positive for the tournament. 

"This is the new life. This is modern life," said Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz.

"It is obvious that football cannot go on with its eyes closed to the modern world." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – LA Tenorio is called the PBA's Ironman for a reason. 

Less than two months after cracking the Top 15 all-time assists leaders, Tenorio became part of PBA history again after logging in the 4th most minutes played in a game by a local. 

"The Gineral" registered nearly 57 minutes (56:52) in Barangay Ginebra's 100-92 triple overtime win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday, March 2. The only 3 locals in the 42-year-old league to play more minutes are Kerby Reymundo (61 minutes in 2006), Jun Limpot (60 in 1993) and Robert Jaworski (58 minutes in 1986). 

For Tenorio, playing way beyond his usual minutes is something he can endure especially when Ginebra's playoff chances were on the line.

The win secured the Gin Kings, who improved to 6-5, the 4th place heading into the quarterfinals. A loss against Rain or Shine would have put them on a playoff for the last quarterfinals slot against the Blackwater Elite and a potential clash against the pacesetting San Miguel Beermen, who hold a twice-to-beat incentive. 

"Kailangan talaga namin mailusot 'to eh. Wala namang ibang choice so obviously kailangan talagang isagad kung kailangan isagad just to get the win para magkaroon kami ng chance sa playoffs," said Tenorio.

(We really needed to come away with this win. We don't have any other choice, we obviously need to pull it through just to get the win so we can have a chance in the playoffs.)

Even though playing that long may take a toll on his body, Tenorio said he's just making the most of the opportunities given to him by head coach Tim Cone and the whole Ginebra management.

"I’m sure a lot of players, a lot of aspiring basketball players want to be in my shoes right now. So I take it as a blessing right now na nakakalaro ako ng matagal, hanggang ngayon naglalaro pa rin ako (that I can playing a lot of minutes that I am still playing.)"

"Now that I’m still here na kaya ko pa, na binibigyan ako ng trust ng team, the management, I feel blessed and I’m not going to take anything for granted talaga. Off the court kung ano ang dapat kong gawin to stay in shape gagawin ko. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano ako tumagal," added Tenorio. 

(Now that I'm still here and I can still play, that I'm trusted by the team, the managament, I feel blessed and I'm really not going to take anything for granted. Off the court, whatever I am doing to stay in shape, I will do it. I myself don't know how I stayed this long in the league.) 

Tenorio, who capped his 543rd straight game with a 20-point and 6-rebound performance, is slowly closing in on another record. Barring injuries, he can eclipse Alvin Patrimonio's record of consecutive games played of 596 next season. 

"With my age right now, 33, my mileage, not missing a single game, its truly a blessing for me."

Ginebra will have a two days to regain strength before the quarterfinals begin on Monday, March 5, at the Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings will face the Elasto Painters anew, this time on a best-of-3 series. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Only a few strangers get to play with their favorite PBA idols, much more if the pro basketball player is an import. 

Among those lucky few was Ryce Cañete Aguirre, who got to share the court, although a makeshift one, with Barangay Ginebra and Alab Pilipinas import Justin Brownlee.

Brownlee, during a chat with reporters following Ginebra's 100-92 triple overtime win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday, March 2, shared that he, together with Alab teammates Lawrence Domingo and Josh Urbiztondo, passed by a group of teenagers playing pickup basketball and decided to join in. 

"I just saw a couple of kids, young guys playing. They seem like they were enjoying basketball and I just rolled down my window, 'Hey you want to play me one-on-one?' and one of the kids was like, 'Yeah, come on,'" Brownlee narrated. 

"I think they don't know who's in the car but when we got out, they figured out who we was."

On Aguirre's Facebook post that has now gone viral, the 29-year-old American looked like he dominated Aguirre, throwing down thunderous jams to the satisfaction of their spectators. But Brownlee admitted his opponent was no pushover. 

Aguirre, despite wearing just a slipper, was able to drain a tough jumper over Brownlee. 

"Actually, the score was 3-2. He almost beat me. The kid, he got some game. He was crossing me up a little bit but they didn't get the whole thing on camera so lucky me, huh?" said Brownlee. 

If given a chance, Brownlee said he might challenge Aguirre again.

"I might go back over there and play with him again. The kid was fine." 

Brownlee and Alab Pilipinas will fly to Malaysia to face the Westports Malaysia Dragons on Sunday, March 4, in the ASEAN Basketball League. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines –Terrence Romeo admits to adjusting to the PBA play but his performance hardly showed that after he poured in 20 points in his first game in 5 months. 

Romeo, who missed the first 10 games this season due to a knee injury, was a pivotal cog for GlobalPort as he helped the Batang Pier almost erase a 31-point deficit in a 100-104 loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday, March 2. 

The injury also hindered the 25-year-old from seeing action with Gilas Pilipinas in the first two windows of 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. 

"Ang layo pa, wala pa sa timing. May mga ibang shots sa game na kinakapa ko pa tapos 'yung ibang play iniisip ko pa kapag tinatawag kasi 4 days pa lang ako nakapag-ensayo," said Romeo.

(I still have a long way to go. I have yet to regain my timing. There are shots and plays that I am still adjusting to since it's been only 4 days since I started practicing again.)

"Medyo naninibago. Medyo iba ang laro sa PBA eh. Kasi ang laro ko parang, ang pinakapapawis ko is jogging lang. Ito may mga kabanggaan ako na malalakas ang katawan."

(I am still getting used to it. The PBA game is different. Before, my exercise was jogging only. This time, I'm playing against strong players.) 

The flamboyant guard, although going for 8-of-18 from the field and 1-of-7 from 3-point range, was one of the efficient players for the Batang Pier after he registered a plus-minus of +12, the 3rd highest in the team. 

Romeo said he decided to return get his flow back, especially with GlobalPort needing his services in the playoffs. 

"Kinailangan ko na siguro makatulong sa team and para rin sa sarili ko. Gusto ko nang bumalik ang rhythm kasi hindi pupwedeng, for example, kailanganin ako sa playoffs tapos wala akong game, 'di ba?," said Romeo. "So at least nafi-feel ko na ang PBA game, 'yung banggaan, 'yung gulangan malaking tulong." 

(I needed to come back for the team and for myself as well. I want to get my rhythm back since, for example, the team would need me for the playoffs, it's not possible that I return when I have not played a game at all, right? At least, I'm already getting a feel of the PBA game, the physicality is a big help.)

Despite his comeback ending in a loss, Romeo has a chance to provide his winning ways for GlobalPort against the Magnolia Hotshots, who hold a twice-to-beat incentive, in the quarterfinals on March 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com

GOLD COAST, Australia – Australia's George Corones, who celebrates his 100th birthday next month, has broken what is claimed to be the 50-meters long-course freestyle world record for his age group.

The 99-year-old was the only competitor in the 100 to 104 years men's masters category on Friday and set a time of 56.12 seconds for a single length of the Gold Coast Aquatic Center pool, which will host the swimming competition at the Commonwealth Games next month.

{source}

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">99-year-old, George Corones, breaks 50 metre swimming world record at the Commonwealth Game trials. He celebrates his 100th birthday next month. <a href="https://twitter.com/MarlinaWhop?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarlinaWhop</a> <a href="https://t.co/xz9WiwqNed">https://t.co/xz9WiwqNed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7News</a> <a href="https://t.co/H1lrgwLPBo">pic.twitter.com/H1lrgwLPBo</a></p>&mdash; 7 News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/969818396949794816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The race was organized specifically to allow Corones a chance to break the 100-104 age group record of 1:31.19 set in 2014 by Briton John Harrison.

"It's the only time when you're not fighting against gravity," he said.

"When you're in the water you're in an anti-gravity environment and it's beautiful."

The former doctor credits his longevity to swimming, which he took up again at the age of 80. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Far Eastern University Tamaraws (FEU) swept the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20, on Saturday, March 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Tigresses attempted to prevent a sweep as they kept close to the Lady Tamaraws in the 3rd set. A block by Jeanette Villareal brought it to match point and the Tigresses fumbled with their distribution that surrendered the match to FEU. 

The Lady Tamaraws improve to 5-2 with their 4th straight win while the Tigresses fall to 2-5 with their 3rd straight loss in the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tourament. 

Chinchin Basas and Celine Domingo led the Lady Tamaraws with 8 points apiece. Captain Bernadeth Pons tallied 7 points while taking care of the back row defense with 9 excellent digs and 10 receptions. 

Carla Sandoval topscored for the Tigresses with 12 points off 9 spikes, two blocks and UST's only ace while making 8 receptions. Sisi Rondina followed behind with 11 points all from spikes while making 11 excellent digs. 

After trailing 2-5 early in the first set, Shannen Palec's attack took lead for UST, 8-7. FEU rallied back with a 9-0 run that saw the Lady Tamaraws go up by 6 points, 11-6 before Dindin Pacres ended UST's scoring drought.

The Lady Tamaraws continued to lock down the Tigresses as Carly Hernandez brought it to set point and Pons's off-speed attack gave FEU a 1-0 lead to the match. 

After FEU got off to a 7-3 start to the second set, Sisi Rondina's attack cut the deficit to one and a double contact error by FEU tied the score at 7-all. Rondina took the lead with an attack through the block, 8-7, which saw FEU explode with a 10-1 capped off by back-to-back errors by UST. 

The Lady Tamaraws were two points away from taking the second set but the Tigresses raced from a 23-13 disadvantage and Rondina's attack trimmed FEU's lead to 3. Crucial errors by UST cost them the second set, giving FEU a 2-0 advantage in the match.

The Scores

FEU (3) – Basas 8, Domingo 8, Pons 7, Negrito 7, Guino-o 6, Malabanan 5, Villareal 3, Hernandez 2. 

UST (0) – Sandoval 12, Rondina 11, Pacres 5, Viray 4, Francisco 4, Bicar 3, Palec 2. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Greg Slaughter is leaving it to God's hands after suffering yet another injury at an unfortunate time, with Barangay Ginebra gearing up for the Philippine Cup playoffs.

Slaughter, who suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a few games earlier this conference, is doubtful to play for Ginebra's best-of-3 quarterfinals clash against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters after sustaining a bummed ankle on his left foot a few days ago. 

"We were doing practice and it was literally the last rep of the drill and I just went up for a little hook shot in the paint and came down on someone's foot and sprained it," Slaughter narrated. 

Without Slaughter, the Gin Kings needed 3 extra periods to dispatch the Elasto Painters, 100-92, on Friday, March 2 – a victory that put Ginebra at 4th place heading into the quarterfinals. 

Although Ginebra outrebounded Rain or Shine by 22, Slaughter's per game averages 16.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists, and his inside presence were still badly missed.

Slaughter vowed to maintain his shape despite battling the injury. 

"I'm just going to keep my stamina, my conditioning whether it be on the pool or the bike. I can't do running or jumping right now, it's still painful to walk so that's just my main goal, try to keep the conditioning I have even though I have this bummed ankle," he said.

Ginebra will need to endure having the 7-foot big man on the sidelines for a few more games, as Slaughter said it would take a few weeks before he recovers from his injury.

The Ginebra-Rain or Shine quarterfinals battle begins on Monday, March 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

"That's all God's plan right now and I'm just going to do my part and try to rejoin the team as soon as I can," Slaughter said. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Head Coach George Pascua recalled that the last time the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws watched the fireworks display of the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition in SM Mall of Asia, they were fresh from a loss to the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigresses. 

But on Saturday, March 3, the FEU Lady Tamaraws unlocked 3 significant acheivements: winning against "rivals" UST, cutting their errors by half, and limiting Sisi Rondina to only 11 points.

"Manonood na kami ng fireworks nang masaya! (We're now going to watch the fireworks with joy!)" exclaimed Captain Bernadeth Pons.

"The last time nanood sila ng fireworks, talo sila sa UST (The last time they watched the fireworks, they lost to UST)," added Pons. 

FEU and UST had a total of 15 UAAP finals appearances, with the Lady Tamaraws holding a 9-6 advantage. 

In their first meeting this Season 80, the Lady Tamaraws extended their winning streak to 4 and swept the Tigresses in the match. 

Pascua credited the team's performance to their chemistry and maturity when they did not look back after snapping their early two-game losing streak. 

"'Yung maturity nila sa court, 'yung chemistry nila nandoon. 'Yung pinractice namin na score ganoon dapat. Na-apply namin sa game. 'Yung first 3 games, hindi pa ganoong katibay kapit nila," said Pascua.  

(Their maturity in the court, their chemistry was there. What we practiced for the score, it had to be like that. We applied it in the game. The first 3 games, their hold wasn't that strong.) 

Pascua and his squad were also overjoyed when they heard that they only committed a total of 17 errors, which was almost half of their usual number of errors. 

"Achievement 'yan! Sabi ko nga nung nakaraan basta mabawasan lang 'yung errors namin, madali nang manalo. Noong mga nakaraan kasi, grabe 'yung error namin, hindi makatarungan – 43, 39," said Pascua. 

(That's an achievement. I told them we should decrease our number of errors, so that it's easy to win. Because before, our errors were so many that it's not even acceptable – 43, 39.) 

The Lady Tamaraws also managed to limit the league's topscorer Rondina to only 11 points. In Season 79, Rondina was the key factor to FEU's losses to UST in both elimination round games. 

This time, FEU middle blocker Celine Domingo became the key to locking down Rondina as she topscored with 8 points off 3/6 of the team's blocks. 

"Pinag-aralan namin 'yun. Sabi ko nga 70% (ng play) kay Sisi. But 'di natin pwedeng pabayaan sina Pacres saka 'yung core ng team nila kasi baka na-check natin ito, 'yung iba naman… so kailangan balansehin lang," said Pascua. 

(We studied that. I said 70% of the play is Sisi's. But we cannot ignore Pacres and the core of the team because we might have checked this, but not the others... so we have to just balance it.) 

As the Lady Tamaraws are now the second seed with a 5-2 record in the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tournament, the Morayta-based squad can celebrate, relax, and enjoy the fireworks display for now. 

"Mahirap manood ng fireworks na naka-ganun ka lang. Lutang. At least ngayon ma-eenjoy nila. Thank God, kasi pinaghirapan nila 'yun," said Pascua. 

(It's hard to watch the fireworks when you are dumbfounded. At least now, they can enjoy it. Thank God because they worked hard for it.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers defeated their archrivals Ateneo Lady Eagles in 4 sets, 25-20, 25-17, 26-24, and 25-20, on Saturday, March 3, at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

After dropping the 3rd set, the Lady Spikers took control of the 4th set as Ateneo's defense continued to suffer. Three straight errors by DLSU and a drop ball allowed Ateneo to rally back from a 20-14 disadvantage and cut the deficit to two, 21-19. A block by Kim Dy brought it to match point, and a service error by Jules Samonte surrendered the match to DLSU. 

The Lady Spikers recovered from their loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons to snap Ateneo's 4-game winning streak. 

DLSU now stands at 5-2 while Ateneo falls to a 4-3 record in the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tournament. 

Dy attained her season-high of 21 points off 11 spikes, 7 blocks and 3 aces. Desiree Cheng made a team-high of 7 aces in her 11 points while making 11 receptions. 

Jho Maraguinot led the Lady Eagles with 13 points while making 16 excellent digs. Deanna Wong, however, won in the setting game as she made 36 excellent sets compared to Michelle Cobb's 22. 

Ateneo was without their leading libero Dani Ravena and their head coach Anusorn "Tai" Bundit, as he flew back to Thailand to celebrate his father-in-law's first death anniversary.

The defending champions started their domination with an 8-point lead over the Lady Eagles by the second technical timeout. Ateneo rallied back from the deficit to make it a 6-point game, 23-19. It was not enough, as Cobb brought it to set point with a service ace, and Baron closed out the first set.

The Lady Eagles attempted to shift the momentum in the second set, as Kat Tolentino gifted Ateneo with an 8-5 lead. The Lady Spikers capitalized on Ateneo's errors to make a 10-0 run, punctuated by Cheng's 3 straight service aces.

Samonte committed an attack error and Baron gave the Lady Spikers a quick 2-0 lead to the match.

The Lady Eagles took control of the 3rd set as they got off to a 9-point lead over DLSU, 19-10. Ateneo eventually blew the lead as the defending champions rallied back from a 21-11 deficit with a 10-0 run.

Tin Tiamzon took the lead at 23-22 and an attack error from Tolentino brought DLSU to match point. The Lady Eagles managed to extend the set and Maddie Madayag brought Ateneo to their first set point, 25-24. Tolentino made up for her previous error as her crosscourt kill gave Ateneo one set in the match. 

The Scores:

DLSU (3) – Dy 21, Tiamzon 13, Cheng 11, Baron 10, Ogunsanya 10, Cobb 6, Saga 1. 

Ateneo (1) – Maraguinot 13, Tolentino 12, de Leon 11, Madayag 10, Samonte 7, Wong 2. 

– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – "'Yung determination na manalo, pang-UAAP na (Their determination to win is already for UAAP games)."

This was what De La Salle University (DLSU) head coach Ramil de Jesus said after the Lady Spikers bounced back from their Adamson loss to defeat the Ateneo Lady Eagles on Saturday, March 3. 

In their previous game, de Jesus rated the Lady Spikers' performance as "pambarangay" (for a barangay) as DLSU lost in 4 sets to the then-cellar-dwellers Adamson Lady Falcons. (READ: 'Pambarangay,' De Jesus says of DLSU performance in loss to Adamson)

Although the Lady Spikers were used to the fact that de Jesus doesn't reserve any praises for them, the Taft-based squad knew that it was time to end their lackluster ways. 

"I think, coming from a loss kasi, kailangan talaga naming mag-bounce back. (We needed to bounce back) And we need to get that confidence again," said DLSU topscorer Kim Dy. 

De Jesus was happy with Dy’s season high of 21 points off 11 spikes, 7 blocks and 3 aces. He was previously disappointed with Dy as she crashed into a bad performance during the Adamson game. The open spiker apologized to her coach multiple times through messages. 

"After naming matalo sa Adamson, nag-message sa akin 'yung bata na 'yan (Dy). Sabi niya, sorry, nag-sorry and then babawi ako. Eto naman, pinakita naman niya," said de Jesus. 

(After we lost to Adamson, the kid (Dy) messaged me. She kept saying sorry and that she will make it up to it. Here, she showed it.)

Dy recalled that losing two out of their last 3 games before facing Ateneo was a big blow to the defending champions' confidence. De Jesus did his part of motivating them, but it was entirely up to the Lady Spikers to turn their renewed confidence into a reality. 

"Coming into this game, siyempre iniisip namin kung sino ba kami. Laging sinasabi ni coach sa amin 'yun, parang, 'Sino kayo? Di ba kayo ang defending champions?' Parang, oo nga, tayo naman ang defending champions," recalled Dy. 

(Coming into this game, of course we were thinking of who we are. Coach would always tells us, 'Who are you? Aren't you guys the defending champions?' Yes, we really are the defending champions.)

She added: "We just remembered who we are, and kung ano ang kailangan namin para maging confident kami. (We just remembered who we are and what we needed to become confident.)" 

However, the Lady Spikers' performance was still not up to par with de Jesus' "UAAP standards" as they trailed Ateneo 10-19 and eventually dropped the 3rd set even after rallying back with a 10-0 run. 

"Sakit namin 'yun eh. Andoon tapos biglang bibitaw. (That's our weakness. We're already there, then we let go) I think that's one of the adjustments we [still] need to work on," said Dy. 

The Lady Spikers ended the first elimination round with a 5-2 record, tied with the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws who defeated the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses before the Ateneo-DLSU game – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Rain or Shine may have surrendered a 92-100 triple overtime loss to the Barangay Ginebra Friday, March 2, but Raymond Almazan believes that Gin Kings do not necessarily have the edge when they take on the Elasto Painters in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals. 

The lanky center had plenty of chances to close it out for the E-Painters in regulation and second overtime, but he couldn't make his shots. In regulation, Almazan's last-second putback attempt fell short while his alley-oop play off a Gabe Norwood inbound pass rimmed out in second overtime. 

Almazan also missed crucial free throws in the 3rd extra period, which paved way for the Gin Kings to escape with the win and overtake Rain or Shine at 4th place in the standings. 

The triple overtime classic, which was only the 12th in PBA history, was a test of endurance for both teams and although E-Painters ran out of gas in the end, Almazan is confident the playing field is still leveled. 

"Wala siguro," said Almazan when asked if he thinks Ginebra has upper hand over them. "Sa endurance, wala naman sigurong pinagkaiba kasi 'yung kinakain nila, kinakain din naman namin so ayun, kailangan lang magpahinga talaga kasi mahaba 'yung series e." 

(I guess none. In terms of endurance, there is probably no difference since what they eat, we eat as well. We just need to rest since the series is long.) 

Almazan is nursing a hand injury and although it may have affected him missing key baskets, he said he does not want to use it as an excuse now that they are moving on the next level of the tournament. 

"Siguro ayoko na munang isipin 'yun ngayon sa series. Alisin ko muna 'yung mga ganoong ano, kasi kaya ko naman e. Chineck up, walang fracture, walang bali so ipahinga ko na lang coming in the game on Monday, ready na." 

(I do not want to think about it in this series. I want to rid of thoughts like it will affect me, since I can still play. When I was checked up, there were no fractures, there were no broken bones. I just have to rest so when Monday comes, I am ready.)

Ginebra star center Greg Slaughter, who sustained a bummed ankle, is doubtful to play in the best-of-3 quarterfinals series starting on Monday, March 5, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Almazan sees it as a chance to draw first blood. 

"Kung maganda 'yung game namin ngayon, mas didiinan pa namin sa Monday tsaka sa series. Wala nang bukas doon e, every game counts tsaka mas maganda 'yung makauna ka," Almazan concluded. 

(If we played well today, we just need to push harder on Monday and the entirety of the series. There is no tomorrow there, every game counts, and it is better if we have the advantage.) – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Justin Brownlee has been vocal about how Barangay Ginebra turned his basketball career around, so it is no surprise that he is itching to get back in the PBA with the league's crowd darlings.

Brownlee watched Ginebra pull off a triple overtime 100-92 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Friday, March 2, and he admitted that he looks forward to donning the Gin Kings jersey again. 

"Every time I see Ginebra go out and play, man, it is just a good feeling. Of course, I always want to go out and play with those guys," said Brownlee. 

The 29-year-old American helped Ginebra win the Governors' Cup title in the last two years and is expected to reinforce the Gin Kings in the Commissioner's and Governors' Cup this season. 

"You know, the past couple of years have been very fun. Any chance I get, I definitely, you know, would love to play with these guys on the court and playing for coach Tim (Cone) as well."

For the meantime, Brownlee is focused in his stint in the ASEAN Basketball League as he looks to carry his championship-winning ways for the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas. 

Alab, after a lethargic 1-3 start, has been on a tear with Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman at the helm. With the acquisition of the two top imports, Alab has won 10 of its last 11 games to improve to 11-4 for second place behind the Hong Kong Eastern Basketball Team (12-2). 

Brownlee is averaging 22.5 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, two steals and 1.7 blocks per game. 

"Me and Balkman coming over with the locals they have, l just think we really have the opportunity to probably do something special and hopefully we get to the finals and win the championship," Brownlee said. 

Brownlee and Alab will clash with the Westports Malaysia Dragon on Sunday, March 4. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – It was a tale of bad timing that spelled misfortune for the Ateneo Lady Eagles as they snapped their 4-game winning streak in their loss against archrivals De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers  on Saturday, March 3. 

Head coach Anusorn "Tai" Bundit was absent in today's crucial game, as his father-in-law's one year death anniversary coincided with the UAAP Women's Volleyball finals rematch. 

Aside from Bundit, rookie libero Dani Ravena did not only miss today's game, but she will also be out for two to 4 weeks due to appendicitis. Ravena underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy procedure on the night of Tuesday, February 27, which was the same day she was confined in the hospital. 

Fresh from the surgery, Ravena was left at the bench, donning her number 1 jersey. The libero just had to watch the game from the sidelines as she was still feeling a lot of pain even from walking. 

"Super gusto ko pumasok. Naka-jersey ako pero syempre bawal. 'Yun nga, dun ko mas nafeel na ayun nga, I really want this. Sana mas mabilis 'yung recovery ko kasi, if I can help the team, it's a big part," said Ravena. 

(I super wanted to go in. I was in my jersey, but of course, I'm not allowed. That's when I felt that I really want this. I hope that my recovery will be faster because if I can help the team, it's a big part.) 

The Lady Eagles suffered with floor defense as many of their attack errors came from low attacks. Both Ateneo middle blockers Maddie Madayag and Bea de Leon agreed that their main problem in the game was with their receptions. 

"Sobrang clear naman (It was so clear), it was just the receive. How many aces did they have? O, tignan mo? Sabi nga ni coach Sherwin that our score isn't too low. Kayang-kaya. Wala, receive lang talaga. (See? Coach Sherwin said that our score isn't too low. We can do it. It's really the receive). [It's like giving] away 4 points per set," said de Leon. 

"Receives obviously. Wala si Dani. Crucial player, kahit rookie palang siya. Sobrang kita naman wala talagang receive," said team captain Madayag. 

(Receives obviously. Dani wasn't there. She's a crucial player even though she's just a rookie. We can obviously see that there was no receive.)

The Lady Eagle roster was further trimmed as opposite spiker Ponggay Gaston sprained her ankle, thus being unable to relieve Jules Samonte from the rotation. 

Madayag, however, admitted that even though she and de Leon were middle blockers, they could've stepped up their blocking responsibilities to make up for the team's poor reception. 

"Di naman helpless (being a middle blocker) kasi kung hindi naman kami makapalo ni Bea, at least nababawi naman namin sa blocking," said Madayag. 

(We're not helpless because if Bea and I can't spike, at least we could've made up for it in blocking.) 

The Lady Eagles will await coach Tai's return on Monday, March 5, and it will be back to training for them as the second round eliminations will start on Wednesday, March 7. 

Ateneo stands at a 4-3 record in the UAAP Season 80 Women's Volleyball tournament as the first round comes to a close. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar was to leave hospital Sunday after a successful operation on his broken foot, but it will be 6 weeks before doctors know when the world's most expensive player can train again.

Neymar was due to be discharged early in the morning from the Mater Dei hospital in Belo Horizonte, 24 hours after surgery to repair a fractured 5th metatarsal in his right foot.

The operation was declared a complete success.

Now the question is whether the 26-year-old can catch any of PSG's remaining season, and even what kind of shape he'll be in at the start of Brazil's World Cup campaign in Russia this June.

"The recovery time will depend on the player's evolution. In 6 weeks we will make a new evaluation," Lasmar said after performing the operation.

Gerard Saillant, the French doctor representing PSG at the hospital, told journalists that the timing of Neymar's return to full training could only be given at the 6-week mark.

"It is absolutely impossible to give you the slightest detail before those 6 weeks," he said.

On Thursday, Lasmar said the star player – whose transfer from Barcelona cost PSG a record 222 million euros ($264 million) last August – would need at least two and a half months, maybe three, to return.

This would put him uncomfortably close to the start of the World Cup on June 14, including missing two friendly warm-up games.

Tensions denied

After his one hour and 15 minute operation, Neymar spent his Saturday afternoon in a hospital bed watching live TV coverage of PSG's Ligue 1 game against Troyes, Saillant said.

PSG won 2-0, but Neymar's absence will be keenly felt during Tuesday's Champions League showdown against Real Madrid.

The striker has scored 28 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions for the club – a prolific tally that came to a halt February 25 when he broke his foot during a 3-0 drubbing of Marseille.

Amid reports of tensions between PSG and Brazil's footballing authorities over Neymar's medical treatment, PSG insisted that it would be in charge of his recuperation.

"The post-operation rehabilitation will begin immediately under the control of the club's physiotherapist," PSG said in a statement on their website.

Earlier, Paris newspaper L'Equipe reported that PSG believe Lasmar lied about Neymar's condition.

The report said that Neymar was initially found to have suffered a minor fracture at the Marseille game and that PSG were shocked when Lasmar declared it was a serious break requiring longer than expected recuperation time.

However, doctors stressed Saturday that there was no friction between PSG and Brazil's federation, the CBF.

"Contrary to what might have been written or said..., decisions already taken and those to come have had the complete agreement of Neymar of course, and of his family, all the staff at PSG, the medical staff, the organization and management of PSG, and the representatives of the CBF," Saillant said. 

"There is absolutely no split, despite what was written."– Rappler.com

LAS VEGAS, USA – Elimination Chamber has come and gone, and we have a clear challenger for Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34. As expected, rumored, and predicted over the past year, it's none other than the Big Dog, Roman Reigns.

After proffering some other possible (and credible) options over the past few weeks, such as Seth Rollins (and his amazing one-hour gauntlet match performance) and Braun Strowman – and after John Cena reportedly pushed very hard for either of those two men to win the chamber match instead – Vince McMahon still decided to give us his vision of what the WrestleMania main event should be. And so, we're getting Roman Reigns, and we're supposed to like it.

You know what? Fair enough, I'll say. Reigns put out quite the performance inside the first-ever 7-man Elimination Chamber, and even if he didn't have any eliminations to his name (all of them belonged to Strowman, in his chamber debut) he definitely contributed. He earned his victory with a hard-fought battle, and regardless of what you all feel about it you can’t say that he didn't do his part. It was a good way to reintroduce Reigns to the main event scene.

What I'm not okay with, actually, is how WWE seemingly decided to half-ass on their decision – by having Strowman destroy Reigns after the match.

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Yes, they did that so that Strowman could still look strong after losing a match in which he did all the eliminating. You could argue that he might have needed that – but I'll argue that he won't, because his 5 eliminations are already a starmaking shine in itself – and if you really needed to get him his heat back, it shouldn't have to be at the immediate expense of the guy you're sending up to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Seeing the contender lying in a heap of his own broken body doesn't quite paint a picture of confidence, for the challenger himself and for the actual main event.

With one speck of doubt arising from Reigns' inability to fend off Strowman's post-match assault, they just ended up inadvertently telling everyone that hey, Strowman should've been the guy to win after all. Why should we back Reigns in his quest to defeat Lesnar?

Now it's Reigns whose heat needs salvaging, and fortunately they were able to do some of that on RAW the next night. He cut a promo laying it really thick on Lesnar because he wasn't on RAW after being heavily advertised for the show, for who knows what – and by God, it was the best Reigns promo the whole Universe has heard in a long time. Reigns wasn't handed anything scripted; instead, he seemed to have tapped into a deep inner well of feelings toward Lesnar and his part-time WWE contract. This is the kind of speech Reigns needs to be spouting week in and week out if he wants to really establish himself as a main eventer.

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I don't know if the Lesnar absence this week was intentional (so that Reigns could be able to say something like that) but if it was, then well-played. If it wasn't… well, the stars are aligning, and given the way the Universe was reacting toward Reigns' sentiments toward Lesnar, they're over the Beast's championship reign, and they may finally accept the Big Dog winning the big one at WrestleMania.

Ronda Rousey is officially here

MMA star Ronda Rousey has finally signed her WWE contract (on live TV, no less) at the Elimination Chamber PPV, and they're starting her hot.

After this week's RAW, Rousey's certain to be facing Triple H and Stephanie McMahon while tagging with RAW GM Kurt Angle, resulting from Angle exposing the Helmsleys' plans to manipulate Rousey after her fall from grace in the MMA world. It's honestly the best story they can go with for the Rowdy One, as anything that would involve her facing any of the women's champions would be too unbelievable, too much, too soon. Playing on the meta factors swirling around Rousey's career adds even more hype to this WrestleMania story, and now I'm more intrigued than I was when she first appeared.

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John Cena's quest

Another interesting storyline slowly emerging is John Cena and his persistent search for an opponent at WrestleMania.

Cena's in that stage of his career in which he's no longer actively and consistently tangled in any stories in the WWE – his free agent status is pretty much an acknowledgment of the guy's constant forays into Hollywood – so now he’s inserting himself anywhere he could, just so he could be guaranteed a spot at WrestleMania. He qualified for the Elimination Chamber for a shot at the title, but lost; now, he's qualified for the WWE Championship match at Fastlane next week.

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It's all a bit forced, a clear detour for him in order to boost SmackDown's somewhat lagging solo PPV, but I wish it weren't so blatant. It's obviously a last-minute decision since the Fatal Five-Way for Fastlane has all been set up in the commercials, so I wish they gave him Shinsuke Nakamura to face at the PPV instead. Imagine: Cena challenges Nakamura for his title shot at Fastlane; should he win (and he really won't) his build toward WrestleMania isn't crammed, and it would end up making more sense. It feels like they just panicked and wondered how they could make Fastlane more star-studded than it already is.

The real story here, really, is that Cena's headed toward a match against Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania. That's why he's taking his route through SmackDown; when he loses his shot at Fastlane, Mysterio is supposed to pop up somewhere and answer his call. Now that's a match I'd like to see, because we haven't really seen it since 2011, and I'd like to see the Cena that's been through guys like Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, and AJ Styles face a Mysterio that's been all around the world (and will be wrestling NJPW's Jushin Thunder Liger by then).

*****

Do you listen to podcasts? Would you want to listen to a local podcast about pro wrestling? If the answers to those questions – especially that last one – are yes, then you should check out the cleverly-named Smark Gilas-Pilipinas Podcast, featuring PWR General Manager Stan Sy, wrestling writer and Wrestling God Romeo Moran, and all-around multimedia person and former voice of PWR Raf Camus! On this week's episode, the boys are joined by Siargao and English Only, Please screenwriter and wrestling fan Anj Pessumal for a mailbag episode about wrestling fandoms in relationships! Listen to it here! – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA – American Deontay Wilder floored Cuba's Luis Ortiz in the 10th round on Saturday to retain his World Boxing Council heavyweight title and keep his record intact of knocking out every opponent he has faced.

Wilder knocked down Ortiz three times in the fight, finishing off the previously unbeaten challenger with a right uppercut as the referee stopped the fight with 55 seconds left in the 10th round.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/BronzeBomber?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BronzeBomber</a> improves to 40-0 with a chopping TKO! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WilderOrtiz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WilderOrtiz</a> <a href="https://t.co/zMHBKC6oq1">pic.twitter.com/zMHBKC6oq1</a></p>&mdash; SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/970156894915448833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The 32-year-old Wilder improved to 40-0 with 39 knockouts as he made the 7th defense of his heavyweight title.

Wilder knocked Ortiz down in the 5th and twice in the final round but Ortiz made him work for the victory. Wilder barely survived the 7th round after Ortiz surprised him with a right hook and left hand combination and followed it up with a barrage of his own.

This was the first career title fight for the stout Ortiz who weighed in at 241 pounds, almost 30 pounds heavier than the taller and leaner 6-foot-7 Wilder.

Wilder has been trying unsuccessfully to get a unification fight with two-belt titleholder Anthony Joshua. 

With no date set, he had to fight the dangerous counter-punching Ortiz (28-1). Together they are all part of a crop of new fighters who are trying to bring the heavyweight division back into the boxing spotlight. – Rappler.com